Wake Forest Demon Deacons vs Boston College Eagles Preview

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The Wake Forest Demon Deacons welcome another northeastern school to the friendly confines of BB&T Field, but not quite the same team as last week. Syracuse was trying out a new quarterback and coming off a big effort against Florida State.

This week’s opponent Boston College has a bit more on its mantle. They defeated the USC Trojans back in week 3, and Coach Steve Addazio has been trying his best Urban Meyer impersonation. It wasn’t good enough against Pitt or Clemson, but it beat NC State two weeks ago.

Date: October 25

Time: 3:30 PM

TV: RSN

Venue: BB&T Field

Last Time: 2013

Andre Williams, now of the New York Giants, ran the ball 35 times for 204 yards as Boston College grinded out a 24-10 victory over the Deacons. Neither quarterback played particularly great though Wake receiver Michael Campanaro had five catches for eighty-six yards.

Sep 20, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Boston College head coach Steve Addazio talks to his players during the first half against Maine at Alumni Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

Opponent: Boston College Eagles (4-3)

What happens if you take the Urban Meyer concept of the spread option and then take away the multitude of weapons that you can recruit to Florida? You get something like the current Eagles offense, where the emphasis is on the run game and the key playmaker is either the quarterback (this year) or the top running back (last year).

Boston College’s offense is very much in the hands of Florida transfer quarterback Tyler Murphy. Murphy is playing the Tim Tebow role this year, and he leads the Eagles in rushing (766) and passing (869) yards. As goes Murphy, so goes Boston College. If you can stop the 6’2” 213 lbs senior, then you can stop the Boston College attack.

Oct 18, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Boston College Eagles quarterback Tyler Murphy (2) runs with the ball against the Clemson Tigers during the second half at Alumni Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports

This will be the main challenge of the Wake defense. The 4-2-5 system is not built to stop a running offense, but Wake’s senior playmakers could step up and fill the gap. If they can clog up Murphy, then there is a chance that the Wake offense could get the score or two that they would need to win the game.

Prediction:

Despite the performance of North Carolina against Georgia Tech last week, I do not like the matchup of a 4-2-5 system against a power running team like the Eagles. I think it will be a low scoring affair, but I believe the arm of Tyler Murphy will deliver a key play to break the game in the favor of the visiting Eagles.

ONJ Season Prediction Record: 21-10 (getting too close)